More CARS (Confused Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in Canada
globeandmail.com
SARS-like illness dwindles in British Columbia
By TARA PERKINS
Globe and Mail Update
POSTED AT 12:19 PM EDT Monday, Aug. 18, 2003
The outbreak of a SARS-like illness at a British Columbia health care facility is dwindling, but the mystery surrounding what the illness was continues.
A letter distributed to local health staff on Friday says the outbreak "appears to be tapering off." Two new cases were reported on Friday, and four staff remain ill. In addition, 19 staff at Surrey Memorial Hospital were quarantined as a precaution, although none show symptoms of the illness.
Twelve residents remain in isolation at the Kinsmen Place Lodge, in North Surrey, the local health authority said Monday. They continue to show mild symptoms of the illness, like congested sinuses.
They do not have any of the tell-tale signs of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, including fevers or severe respiratory problems, which is why their illness remains a mystery.
Of 142 people who fell ill in the Lodge, 12 tested positive for the corona virus, which is thought to be the force behind SARS, the health authority said. But those twelve showed no symptoms worse than those of a common cold.
(earlier reports indicated one of the 12 had died and had pneumonia - in fact 3 had died with pneumonia - I suspect the earlier report is correct) |
